“I have been well off here,” said Shaw, “in all respects but one; there is no good shongsasha to be had for love or money.”
I gave him a small leather bag containing some of excellent quality, which I had brought from the Black Hills.
“Now, Henry,” said he, “hand me Papin’s chopping-board, or give it to that Indian, and let him cut the mixture; they understand it better than any white man.”
The Indian, without saying a word, mixed the bark and the tobacco in due proportions, filled the pipe and lighted it. This done, my companion and I proceeded to deliberate on our future course of proceeding5; first, however, Shaw acquainted me with some incidents which had occurred at the fort during my absence.
About a week previous four men had arrived from beyond the mountains; Sublette, Reddick, and two others. Just before reaching the Fort they had met a large party of Indians, chiefly young men. All of them belonged to the village of our old friend Smoke, who, with his whole band of adherents6, professed7 the greatest friendship for the whites. The travelers therefore approached, and began to converse8 without the least suspicion. Suddenly, however, their bridles10 were violently seized and they were ordered to dismount. Instead of complying, they struck their horses with full force, and broke away from the Indians. As they galloped12 off they heard a yell behind them, mixed with a burst of derisive13 laughter, and the reports of several guns. None of them were hurt though Reddick’s bridle9 rein14 was cut by a bullet within an inch of his hand. After this taste of Indian hostility15 they felt for the moment no disposition17 to encounter further risks. They intended to pursue the route southward along the foot of the mountains to Bent’s Fort; and as our plans coincided with theirs, they proposed to join forces. Finding, however, that I did not return, they grew impatient of inaction, forgot their late escape, and set out without us, promising18 to wait our arrival at Bent’s Fort. From thence we were to make the long journey to the settlements in company, as the path was not a little dangerous, being infested19 by hostile Pawnees and Comanches.
We expected, on reaching Bent’s Fort, to find there still another re-enforcement. A young Kentuckian of the true Kentucky blood, generous, impetuous, and a gentleman withal, had come out to the mountains with Russel’s party of California emigrants20. One of his chief objects, as he gave out, was to kill an Indian; an exploit which he afterwards succeeded in achieving, much to the jeopardy22 of ourselves and others who had to pass through the country of the dead Pawnee’s enraged23 relatives. Having become disgusted with his emigrant21 associates he left them, and had some time before set out with a party of companions for the head of the Arkansas. He sent us previously24 a letter, intimating that he would wait until we arrived at Bent’s Fort, and accompany us thence to the settlements. When, however, he came to the Fort, he found there a party of forty men about to make the homeward journey. He wisely preferred to avail himself of so strong an escort. Mr. Sublette and his companions also set out, in order to overtake this company; so that on reaching Bent’s Fort, some six weeks after, we found ourselves deserted25 by our allies and thrown once more upon our own resources.
But I am anticipating. When, before leaving the settlement we had made inquiries26 concerning this part of the country of General Kearny, Mr. Mackenzie, Captain Wyeth, and others well acquainted with it, they had all advised us by no means to attempt this southward journey with fewer than fifteen or twenty men. The danger consists in the chance of encountering Indian war parties. Sometimes throughout the whole length of the journey (a distance of 350 miles) one does not meet a single human being; frequently, however, the route is beset27 by Arapahoes and other unfriendly tribes; in which case the scalp of the adventurer is in imminent28 peril29. As to the escort of fifteen or twenty men, such a force of whites could at that time scarcely be collected by the whole country; and had the case been otherwise, the expense of securing them, together with the necessary number of horses, would have been extremely heavy. We had resolved, however, upon pursuing this southward course. There were, indeed, two other routes from Fort Laramie; but both of these were less interesting, and neither was free from danger. Being unable therefore to procure30 the fifteen or twenty men recommended, we determined31 to set out with those we had already in our employ, Henry Chatillon, Delorier, and Raymond. The men themselves made no objection, nor would they have made any had the journey been more dangerous; for Henry was without fear, and the other two without thought.
Shaw and I were much better fitted for this mode of traveling than we had been on betaking ourselves to the prairies for the first time a few months before. The daily routine had ceased to be a novelty. All the details of the journey and the camp had become familiar to us. We had seen life under a new aspect; the human biped had been reduced to his primitive32 condition. We had lived without law to protect, a roof to shelter, or garment of cloth to cover us. One of us at least had been without bread, and without salt to season his food. Our idea of what is indispensable to human existence and enjoyment33 had been wonderfully curtailed34, and a horse, a rifle, and a knife seemed to make up the whole of life’s necessaries. For these once obtained, together with the skill to use them, all else that is essential would follow in their train, and a host of luxuries besides. One other lesson our short prairie experience had taught us; that of profound contentment in the present, and utter contempt for what the future might bring forth35.
These principles established, we prepared to leave Fort Laramie. On the fourth day of August, early in the afternoon, we bade a final adieu to its hospitable36 gateway37. Again Shaw and I were riding side by side on the prairie. For the first fifty miles we had companions with us; Troche, a little trapper, and Rouville, a nondescript in the employ of the Fur Company, who were going to join the trader Bisonette at his encampment near the head of Horse Creek38. We rode only six or eight miles that afternoon before we came to a little brook39 traversing the barren prairie. All along its course grew copses of young wild-cherry trees, loaded with ripe fruit, and almost concealing40 the gliding41 thread of water with their dense42 growth, while on each side rose swells44 of rich green grass. Here we encamped; and being much too indolent to pitch our tent, we flung our saddles on the ground, spread a pair of buffalo robes, lay down upon them, and began to smoke. Meanwhile, Delorier busied himself with his hissing45 frying-pan, and Raymond stood guard over the band of grazing horses. Delorier had an active assistant in Rouville, who professed great skill in the culinary art, and seizing upon a fork, began to lend his zealous46 aid in making ready supper. Indeed, according to his own belief, Rouville was a man of universal knowledge, and he lost no opportunity to display his manifold accomplishments47. He had been a circus-rider at St. Louis, and once he rode round Fort Laramie on his head, to the utter bewilderment of all the Indians. He was also noted48 as the wit of the Fort; and as he had considerable humor and abundant vivacity49, he contributed more that night to the liveliness of the camp than all the rest of the party put together. At one instant he would be kneeling by Delorier, instructing him in the true method of frying antelope50 steaks, then he would come and seat himself at our side, dilating51 upon the orthodox fashion of braiding up a horse’s tail, telling apocryphal52 stories how he had killed a buffalo bull with a knife, having first cut off his tail when at full speed, or relating whimsical anecdotes53 of the bourgeois54 Papin. At last he snatched up a volume of Shakespeare that was lying on the grass, and halted and stumbled through a line or two to prove that he could read. He went gamboling about the camp, chattering55 like some frolicsome56 ape; and whatever he was doing at one moment, the presumption57 was a sure one that he would not be doing it the next. His companion Troche sat silently on the grass, not speaking a word, but keeping a vigilant58 eye on a very ugly little Utah squaw, of whom he was extremely jealous.
On the next day we traveled farther, crossing the wide sterile59 basin called Goche’s Hole. Toward night we became involved among deep ravines; and being also unable to find water, our journey was protracted60 to a very late hour. On the next morning we had to pass a long line of bluffs62, whose raw sides, wrought63 upon by rains and storms, were of a ghastly whiteness most oppressive to the sight. As we ascended64 a gap in these hills, the way was marked by huge foot-prints, like those of a human giant. They were the track of the grizzly65 bear; and on the previous day also we had seen abundance of them along the dry channels of the streams we had passed. Immediately after this we were crossing a barren plain, spreading in long and gentle undulations to the horizon. Though the sun was bright, there was a light haze66 in the atmosphere. The distant hills assumed strange, distorted forms, and the edge of the horizon was continually changing its aspect. Shaw and I were riding together, and Henry Chatillon was alone, a few rods before us; he stopped his horse suddenly, and turning round with the peculiar67 eager and earnest expression which he always wore when excited, he called to us to come forward. We galloped to his side. Henry pointed68 toward a black speck69 on the gray swell43 of the prairie, apparently70 about a mile off. “It must be a bear,” said he; “come, now, we shall all have some sport. Better fun to fight him than to fight an old buffalo bull; grizzly bear so strong and smart.”
So we all galloped forward together, prepared for a hard fight; for these bears, though clumsy in appearance and extremely large, are incredibly fierce and active. The swell of the prairie concealed71 the black object from our view. Immediately after it appeared again. But now it seemed quite near to us; and as we looked at it in astonishment72, it suddenly separated into two parts, each of which took wing and flew away. We stopped our horses and looked round at Henry, whose face exhibited a curious mixture of mirth and mortification73. His hawk’s eye had been so completely deceived by the peculiar atmosphere that he had mistaken two large crows at the distance of fifty rods for a grizzly bear a mile off. To the journey’s end Henry never heard the last of the grizzly bear with wings.
In the afternoon we came to the foot of a considerable hill. As we ascended it Rouville began to ask questions concerning our conditions and prospects74 at home, and Shaw was edifying75 him with a minute account of an imaginary wife and child, to which he listened with implicit76 faith. Reaching the top of the hill we saw the windings77 of Horse Creek on the plains below us, and a little on the left we could distinguish the camp of Bisonette among the trees and copses along the course of the stream. Rouville’s face assumed just then a most ludicrously blank expression. We inquired what was the matter, when it appeared that Bisonette had sent him from this place to Fort Laramie with the sole object of bringing back a supply of tobacco. Our rattle78-brain friend, from the time of his reaching the Fort up to the present moment, had entirely79 forgotten the object of his journey, and had ridden a dangerous hundred miles for nothing. Descending80 to Horse Creek we forded it, and on the opposite bank a solitary81 Indian sat on horseback under a tree. He said nothing, but turned and led the way toward the camp. Bisonette had made choice of an admirable position. The stream, with its thick growth of trees, inclosed on three sides a wide green meadow, where about forty Dakota lodges82 were pitched in a circle, and beyond them half a dozen lodges of the friendly Cheyenne. Bisonette himself lived in the Indian manner. Riding up to his lodge83, we found him seated at the head of it, surrounded by various appliances of comfort not common on the prairie. His squaw was near him, and rosy84 children were scrambling85 about in printed-calico gowns; Paul Dorion also, with his leathery face and old white capote, was seated in the lodge, together with Antoine Le Rouge86, a half-breed Pawnee, Sibille, a trader, and several other white men.
“It will do you no harm,” said Bisonette, “to stay here with us for a day or two, before you start for the Pueblo87.”
We accepted the invitation, and pitched our tent on a rising ground above the camp and close to the edge of the trees. Bisonette soon invited us to a feast, and we suffered abundance of the same sort of attention from his Indian associates. The reader may possibly recollect88 that when I joined the Indian village, beyond the Black Hills, I found that a few families were absent, having declined to pass the mountains along with the rest. The Indians in Bisonette’s camp consisted of these very families, and many of them came to me that evening to inquire after their relatives and friends. They were not a little mortified89 to learn that while they, from their own timidity and indolence, were almost in a starving condition, the rest of the village had provided their lodges for the next season, laid in a great stock of provisions, and were living in abundance and luxury. Bisonette’s companions had been sustaining themselves for some time on wild cherries, which the squaws pounded up, stones and all, and spread on buffalo robes, to dry in the sun; they were then eaten without further preparation, or used as an ingredient in various delectable90 compounds.
On the next day the camp was in commotion91 with a new arrival. A single Indian had come with his family the whole way from the Arkansas. As he passed among the lodges he put on an expression of unusual dignity and importance, and gave out that he had brought great news to tell the whites. Soon after the squaws had erected93 his lodge, he sent his little son to invite all the white men, and all the most distinguished94 Indians, to a feast. The guests arrived and sat wedged together, shoulder to shoulder, within the hot and suffocating95 lodge. The Stabber, for that was our entertainer’s name, had killed an old buffalo bull on his way. This veteran’s boiled tripe96, tougher than leather, formed the main item of the repast. For the rest, it consisted of wild cherries and grease boiled together in a large copper97 kettle. The feast was distributed, and for a moment all was silent, strenuous98 exertion99; then each guest, with one or two exceptions, however, turned his wooden dish bottom upward to prove that he had done full justice to his entertainer’s hospitality. The Stabber next produced his chopping board, on which he prepared the mixture for smoking, and filled several pipes, which circulated among the company. This done, he seated himself upright on his couch, and began with much gesticulation to tell his story. I will not repeat his childish jargon100. It was so entangled101, like the greater part of an Indian’s stories, with absurd and contradictory103 details, that it was almost impossible to disengage from it a single particle of truth. All that we could gather was the following:
He had been on the Arkansas, and there he had seen six great war parties of whites. He had never believed before that the whole world contained half so many white men. They all had large horses, long knives, and short rifles, and some of them were attired104 alike in the most splendid war dresses he had ever seen. From this account it was clear that bodies of dragoons and perhaps also of volunteer cavalry105 had been passing up the Arkansas. The Stabber had also seen a great many of the white lodges of the Meneaska, drawn106 by their long-horned buffalo. These could be nothing else than covered ox-wagons used no doubt in transporting stores for the troops. Soon after seeing this, our host had met an Indian who had lately come from among the Comanches. The latter had told him that all the Mexicans had gone out to a great buffalo hunt. That the Americans had hid themselves in a ravine. When the Mexicans had shot away all their arrows, the Americans had fired their guns, raised their war-whoop107, rushed out, and killed them all. We could only infer from this that war had been declared with Mexico, and a battle fought in which the Americans were victorious108. When, some weeks after, we arrived at the Pueblo, we heard of General Kearny’s march up the Arkansas and of General Taylor’s victories at Matamoras.
As the sun was setting that evening a great crowd gathered on the plain by the side of our tent, to try the speed of their horses. These were of every shape, size, and color. Some came from California, some from the States, some from among the mountains, and some from the wild bands of the prairie. They were of every hue—white, black, red, and gray, or mottled and clouded with a strange variety of colors. They all had a wild and startled look, very different from the staid and sober aspect of a well-bred city steed. Those most noted for swiftness and spirit were decorated with eagle-feathers dangling109 from their manes and tails. Fifty or sixty Dakotas were present, wrapped from head to foot in their heavy robes of whitened hide. There were also a considerable number of the Cheyenne, many of whom wore gaudy110 Mexican ponchos111 swathed around their shoulders, but leaving the right arm bare. Mingled112 among the crowd of Indians were a number of Canadians, chiefly in the employ of Bisonette; men, whose home is in the wilderness113, and who love the camp fire better than the domestic hearth114. They are contented115 and happy in the midst of hardship, privation, and danger. Their cheerfulness and gayety is irrepressible, and no people on earth understand better how “to daff the world aside and bid it pass.” Besides these, were two or three half-breeds, a race of rather extraordinary composition, being according to the common saying half Indian, half white man, and half devil. Antoine Le Rouge was the most conspicuous116 among them, with his loose pantaloons and his fluttering calico skirt. A handkerchief was bound round his head to confine his black snaky hair, and his small eyes twinkled beneath it, with a mischievous117 luster118. He had a fine cream-colored horse whose speed he must needs try along with the rest. So he threw off the rude high-peaked saddle, and substituting a piece of buffalo robe, leaped lightly into his seat. The space was cleared, the word was given, and he and his Indian rival darted119 out like lightning from among the crowd, each stretching forward over his horse’s neck and plying11 his heavy Indian whip with might and main. A moment, and both were lost in the gloom; but Antoine soon came riding back victorious, exultingly121 patting the neck of his quivering and panting horse.
About midnight, as I lay asleep, wrapped in a buffalo robe on the ground by the side of our cart, Raymond came up and woke me. Something he said, was going forward which I would like to see. Looking down into camp I saw, on the farther side of it, a great number of Indians gathered around a fire, the bright glare of which made them visible through the thick darkness; while from the midst of them proceeded a loud, measured chant which would have killed Paganini outright122, broken occasionally by a burst of sharp yells. I gathered the robe around me, for the night was cold, and walked down to the spot. The dark throng123 of Indians was so dense that they almost intercepted124 the light of the flame. As I was pushing among them with but little ceremony, a chief interposed himself, and I was given to understand that a white man must not approach the scene of their solemnities too closely. By passing round to the other side, where there was a little opening in the crowd, I could see clearly what was going forward, without intruding125 my unhallowed presence into the inner circle. The society of the “Strong Hearts” were engaged in one of their dances. The Strong Hearts are a warlike association, comprising men of both the Dakota and Cheyenne nations, and entirely composed, or supposed to be so, of young braves of the highest mettle126. Its fundamental principle is the admirable one of never retreating from any enterprise once commenced. All these Indian associations have a tutelary127 spirit. That of the Strong Hearts is embodied128 in the fox, an animal which a white man would hardly have selected for a similar purpose, though his subtle and cautious character agrees well enough with an Indian’s notions of what is honorable in warfare129. The dancers were circling round and round the fire, each figure brightly illumined at one moment by the yellow light, and at the next drawn in blackest shadow as it passed between the flame and the spectator. They would imitate with the most ludicrous exactness the motions and the voice of their sly patron the fox. Then a startling yell would be given. Many other warriors130 would leap into the ring, and with faces upturned toward the starless sky, they would all stamp, and whoop, and brandish131 their weapons like so many frantic132 devils.
Until the next afternoon we were still remaining with Bisonette. My companion and I with our three attendants then left his camp for the Pueblo, a distance of three hundred miles, and we supposed the journey would occupy about a fortnight. During this time we all earnestly hoped that we might not meet a single human being, for should we encounter any, they would in all probability be enemies, ferocious133 robbers and murderers, in whose eyes our rifles would be our only passports. For the first two days nothing worth mentioning took place. On the third morning, however, an untoward134 incident occurred. We were encamped by the side of a little brook in an extensive hollow of the plain. Delorier was up long before daylight, and before he began to prepare breakfast he turned loose all the horses, as in duty bound. There was a cold mist clinging close to the ground, and by the time the rest of us were awake the animals were invisible. It was only after a long and anxious search that we could discover by their tracks the direction they had taken. They had all set off for Fort Laramie, following the guidance of a mutinous135 old mule136, and though many of them were hobbled they had driven three miles before they could be overtaken and driven back.
For the following two or three days we were passing over an arid137 desert. The only vegetation was a few tufts of short grass, dried and shriveled by the heat. There was an abundance of strange insects and reptiles138. Huge crickets, black and bottle green, and wingless grasshoppers139 of the most extravagant140 dimensions, were tumbling about our horses’ feet, and lizards141 without numbers were darting142 like lightning among the tufts of grass. The most curious animal, however, was that commonly called the horned frog. I caught one of them and consigned143 him to the care of Delorier, who tied him up in a moccasin. About a month after this I examined the prisoner’s condition, and finding him still lively and active, I provided him with a cage of buffalo hide, which was hung up in the cart. In this manner he arrived safely at the settlements. From thence he traveled the whole way to Boston packed closely in a trunk, being regaled with fresh air regularly every night. When he reached his destination he was deposited under a glass case, where he sat for some months in great tranquillity144 and composure, alternately dilating and contracting his white throat to the admiration145 of his visitors. At length, one morning, about the middle of winter, he gave up the ghost. His death was attributed to starvation, a very probable conclusion, since for six months he had taken no food whatever, though the sympathy of his juvenile146 admirers had tempted147 his palate with a great variety of delicacies148. We found also animals of a somewhat larger growth. The number of prairie dogs was absolutely astounding149. Frequently the hard and dry prairie would be thickly covered, for many miles together, with the little mounds151 which they make around the mouth of their burrows153, and small squeaking154 voices yelping155 at us as we passed along. The noses of the inhabitants would be just visible at the mouth of their holes, but no sooner was their curiosity satisfied than they would instantly vanish. Some of the bolder dogs—though in fact they are no dogs at all, but little marmots rather smaller than a rabbit—would sit yelping at us on the top of their mounds, jerking their tails emphatically with every shrill156 cry they uttered. As the danger grew nearer they would wheel about, toss their heels into the air, and dive in a twinkling down into their burrows. Toward sunset, and especially if rain were threatening, the whole community would make their appearance above ground. We would see them gathered in large knots around the burrow152 of some favorite citizen. There they would all sit erect92, their tails spread out on the ground, and their paws hanging down before their white breasts, chattering and squeaking with the utmost vivacity upon some topic of common interest, while the proprietor157 of the burrow, with his head just visible on the top of his mound150, would sit looking down with a complacent158 countenance159 on the enjoyment of his guests. Meanwhile, others would be running about from burrow to burrow, as if on some errand of the last importance to their subterranean160 commonwealth161. The snakes were apparently the prairie dog’s worst enemies, at least I think too well of the latter to suppose that they associate on friendly terms with these slimy intruders, who may be seen at all times basking162 among their holes, into which they always retreat when disturbed. Small owls163, with wise and grave countenances164, also make their abode165 with the prairie dogs, though on what terms they live together I could never ascertain166. The manners and customs, the political and domestic economy of these little marmots is worthy167 of closer attention than one is able to give when pushing by forced marches through their country, with his thoughts engrossed168 by objects of greater moment.
On the fifth day after leaving Bisonette’s camp we saw late in the afternoon what we supposed to be a considerable stream, but on our approaching it we found to our mortification nothing but a dry bed of sand into which all the water had sunk and disappeared. We separated, some riding in one direction and some in another along its course. Still we found no traces of water, not even so much as a wet spot in the sand. The old cotton-wood trees that grew along the bank, lamentably169 abused by lightning and tempest, were withering170 with the drought, and on the dead limbs, at the summit of the tallest, half a dozen crows were hoarsely171 cawing like birds of evil omen16 as they were. We had no alternative but to keep on. There was no water nearer than the South Fork of the Platte, about ten miles distant. We moved forward, angry and silent, over a desert as flat as the outspread ocean.
The sky had been obscured since the morning by thin mists and vapors172, but now vast piles of clouds were gathered together in the west. They rose to a great height above the horizon, and looking up toward them I distinguished one mass darker than the rest and of a peculiar conical form. I happened to look again and still could see it as before. At some moments it was dimly seen, at others its outline was sharp and distinct; but while the clouds around it were shifting, changing, and dissolving away, it still towered aloft in the midst of them, fixed and immovable. It must, thought I, be the summit of a mountain, and yet its heights staggered me. My conclusion was right, however. It was Long’s Peak, once believed to be one of the highest of the Rocky Mountain chain, though more recent discoveries have proved the contrary. The thickening gloom soon hid it from view and we never saw it again, for on the following day and for some time after, the air was so full of mist that the view of distant objects was entirely intercepted.
It grew very late. Turning from our direct course we made for the river at its nearest point, though in the utter darkness it was not easy to direct our way with much precision. Raymond rode on one side and Henry on the other. We could hear each of them shouting that he had come upon a deep ravine. We steered173 at random174 between Scylla and Charybdis, and soon after became, as it seemed, inextricably involved with deep chasms175 all around us, while the darkness was such that we could not see a rod in any direction. We partially176 extricated177 ourselves by scrambling, cart and all, through a shallow ravine. We came next to a steep descent down which we plunged178 without well knowing what was at the bottom. There was a great crackling of sticks and dry twigs179. Over our heads were certain large shadowy objects, and in front something like the faint gleaming of a dark sheet of water. Raymond ran his horse against a tree; Henry alighted, and feeling on the ground declared that there was grass enough for the horses. Before taking off his saddle each man led his own horses down to the water in the best way he could. Then picketing180 two or three of the evil-disposed we turned the rest loose and lay down among the dry sticks to sleep. In the morning we found ourselves close to the South Fork of the Platte on a spot surrounded by bushes and rank grass. Compensating181 ourselves with a hearty182 breakfast for the ill fare of the previous night, we set forward again on our journey. When only two or three rods from the camp I saw Shaw stop his mule, level his gun, and after a long aim fire at some object in the grass. Delorier next jumped forward and began to dance about, belaboring183 the unseen enemy with a whip. Then he stooped down and drew out of the grass by the neck an enormous rattlesnake, with his head completely shattered by Shaw’s bullet. As Delorier held him out at arm’s length with an exulting120 grin his tail, which still kept slowly writhing185 about, almost touched the ground, and the body in the largest part was as thick as a stout186 man’s arm. He had fourteen rattles184, but the end of his tail was blunted, as if he could once have boasted of many more. From this time till we reached the Pueblo we killed at least four or five of these snakes every day as they lay coiled and rattling187 on the hot sand. Shaw was the St. Patrick of the party, and whenever he or any one else killed a snake he always pulled off his tail and stored it away in his bullet-pouch, which was soon crammed188 with an edifying collection of rattles, great and small. Delorier, with his whip, also came in for a share of the praise. A day or two after this he triumphantly189 produced a small snake about a span and a half long, with one infant rattle at the end of his tail.
We forded the South Fork of the Platte. On its farther bank were the traces of a very large camp of Arapahoes. The ashes of some three hundred fires were visible among the scattered190 trees, together with the remains191 of sweating lodges, and all the other appurtenances of a permanent camp. The place however had been for some months deserted. A few miles farther on we found more recent signs of Indians; the trail of two or three lodges, which had evidently passed the day before, where every foot-print was perfectly192 distinct in the dry, dusty soil. We noticed in particular the track of one moccasin, upon the sole of which its economical proprietor had placed a large patch. These signs gave us but little uneasiness, as the number of the warriors scarcely exceeded that of our own party. At noon we rested under the walls of a large fort, built in these solitudes194 some years since by M. St. Vrain. It was now abandoned and fast falling into ruin. The walls of unbaked bricks were cracked from top to bottom. Our horses recoiled195 in terror from the neglected entrance, where the heavy gates were torn from their hinges and flung down. The area within was overgrown with weeds, and the long ranges of apartments, once occupied by the motley concourse of traders, Canadians, and squaws, were now miserably196 dilapidated. Twelve miles further on, near the spot where we encamped, were the remains of still another fort, standing197 in melancholy198 desertion and neglect.
Early on the following morning we made a startling discovery. We passed close by a large deserted encampment of Arapahoes. There were about fifty fires still smouldering on the ground, and it was evident from numerous signs that the Indians must have left the place within two hours of our reaching it. Their trail crossed our own at right angles, and led in the direction of a line of hills half a mile on our left. There were women and children in the party, which would have greatly diminished the danger of encountering them. Henry Chatillon examined the encampment and the trail with a very professional and businesslike air.
“Supposing we had met them, Henry?” said I.
“Why,” said he, “we hold out our hands to them, and give them all we’ve got; they take away everything, and then I believe they no kill us. Perhaps,” added he, looking up with a quiet, unchanged face, “perhaps we no let them rob us. Maybe before they come near, we have a chance to get into a ravine, or under the bank of the river; then, you know, we fight them.”
About noon on that day we reached Cherry Creek. Here was a great abundance of wild cherries, plums, gooseberries, and currants. The stream, however, like most of the others which we passed, was dried up with the heat, and we had to dig holes in the sand to find water for ourselves and our horses. Two days after, we left the banks of the creek which we had been following for some time, and began to cross the high dividing ridge199 which separates the waters of the Platte from those of the Arkansas. The scenery was altogether changed. In place of the burning plains we were passing now through rough and savage200 glens and among hills crowned with a dreary201 growth of pines. We encamped among these solitudes on the night of the 16th of August. A tempest was threatening. The sun went down among volumes of jet-black cloud, edged with a bloody202 red. But in spite of these portentous203 signs, we neglected to put up the tent, and being extremely fatigued204, lay down on the ground and fell asleep. The storm broke about midnight, and we erected the tent amid darkness and confusion. In the morning all was fair again, and Pike’s Peak, white with snow, was towering above the wilderness afar off.
We pushed through an extensive tract61 of pine woods. Large black squirrels were leaping among the branches. From the farther edge of this forest we saw the prairie again, hollowed out before us into a vast basin, and about a mile in front we could discern a little black speck moving upon its surface. It could be nothing but a buffalo. Henry primed his rifle afresh and galloped forward. To the left of the animal was a low rocky mound, of which Henry availed himself in making his approach. After a short time we heard the faint report of the rifle. The bull, mortally wounded from a distance of nearly three hundred yards, ran wildly round and round in a circle. Shaw and I then galloped forward, and passing him as he ran, foaming205 with rage and pain, we discharged our pistols into his side. Once or twice he rushed furiously upon us, but his strength was rapidly exhausted207. Down he fell on his knees. For one instant he glared up at his enemies with burning eyes through his black tangled102 mane, and then rolled over on his side. Though gaunt and thin, he was larger and heavier than the largest ox. Foam206 and blood flew together from his nostrils208 as he lay bellowing209 and pawing the ground, tearing up grass and earth with his hoofs210. His sides rose and fell like a vast pair of bellows211, the blood spouting212 up in jets from the bullet-holes. Suddenly his glaring eyes became like a lifeless jelly. He lay motionless on the ground. Henry stooped over him, and making an incision213 with his knife, pronounced the meat too rank and tough for use; so, disappointed in our hopes of an addition to our stock of provisions, we rode away and left the carcass to the wolves.
In the afternoon we saw the mountains rising like a gigantic wall at no great distance on our right. “Des sauvages! des sauvages!” exclaimed Delorier, looking round with a frightened face, and pointing with his whip toward the foot of the mountains. In fact, we could see at a distance a number of little black specks214, like horsemen in rapid motion. Henry Chatillon, with Shaw and myself, galloped toward them to reconnoiter, when to our amusement we saw the supposed Arapahoes resolved into the black tops of some pine trees which grew along a ravine. The summits of these pines, just visible above the verge215 of the prairie, and seeming to move as we ourselves were advancing, looked exactly like a line of horsemen.
We encamped among ravines and hollows, through which a little brook was foaming angrily. Before sunrise in the morning the snow-covered mountains were beautifully tinged216 with a delicate rose color. A noble spectacle awaited us as we moved forward. Six or eight miles on our right, Pike’s Peak and his giant brethren rose out of the level prairie, as if springing from the bed of the ocean. From their summits down to the plain below they were involved in a mantle217 of clouds, in restless motion, as if urged by strong winds. For one instant some snowy peak, towering in awful solitude193, would be disclosed to view. As the clouds broke along the mountain, we could see the dreary forests, the tremendous precipices218, the white patches of snow, the gulfs and chasms as black as night, all revealed for an instant, and then disappearing from the view. One could not but recall the stanza219 of “Childe Harold”:
Morn dawns, and with it stern Albania’s hills,
Dark Suli’s rocks, and Pindus’ inland peak,
Robed half in mist, bedewed with snowy rills,
Arise; and, as the clouds along them break,
Every line save one of this description was more than verified here. There were no “dwellings of the mountaineer” among these heights. Fierce savages226, restlessly wandering through summer and winter, alone invade them. “Their hand is against every man, and every man’s hand against them.”
On the day after, we had left the mountains at some distance. A black cloud descended227 upon them, and a tremendous explosion of thunder followed, reverberating228 among the precipices. In a few moments everything grew black and the rain poured down like a cataract229. We got under an old cotton-wood tree which stood by the side of a stream, and waited there till the rage of the torrent230 had passed.
The clouds opened at the point where they first had gathered, and the whole sublime231 congregation of mountains was bathed at once in warm sunshine. They seemed more like some luxurious232 vision of Eastern romance than like a reality of that wilderness; all were melted together into a soft delicious blue, as voluptuous233 as the sky of Naples or the transparent234 sea that washes the sunny cliffs of Capri. On the left the whole sky was still of an inky blackness; but two concentric rainbows stood in brilliant relief against it, while far in front the ragged235 cloud still streamed before the wind, and the retreating thunder muttered angrily.
Through that afternoon and the next morning we were passing down the banks of the stream called La Fontaine qui Bouille, from the boiling spring whose waters flow into it. When we stopped at noon, we were within six or eight miles of the Pueblo. Setting out again, we found by the fresh tracks that a horseman had just been out to reconnoiter us; he had circled half round the camp, and then galloped back full speed for the Pueblo. What made him so shy of us we could not conceive. After an hour’s ride we reached the edge of a hill, from which a welcome sight greeted us. The Arkansas ran along the valley below, among woods and groves236, and closely nestled in the midst of wide cornfields and green meadows where cattle were grazing rose the low mud walls of the Pueblo.
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1
buffalo
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| n.(北美)野牛；(亚洲)水牛 | |
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hospitably
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| 亲切地，招待周到地，善于款待地 | |
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3
crouching
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的现在分词 ) | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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adherents
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| n.支持者，拥护者( adherent的名词复数 )；党羽；徒子徒孙 | |
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professed
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| 公开声称的，伪称的，已立誓信教的 | |
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converse
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| vi.谈话，谈天，闲聊；adv.相反的，相反 | |
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bridle
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| n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒 | |
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bridles
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| 约束( bridle的名词复数 )； 限动器； 马笼头； 系带 | |
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plying
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| v.使用（工具）( ply的现在分词 )；经常供应（食物、饮料）；固定往来；经营生意 | |
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galloped
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| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
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derisive
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| adj.嘲弄的 | |
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rein
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| n.疆绳，统治，支配；vt.以僵绳控制，统治 | |
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hostility
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| n.敌对，敌意；抵制［pl.］交战，战争 | |
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16
omen
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| n.征兆，预兆；vt.预示 | |
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disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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18
promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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19
infested
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| adj.为患的，大批滋生的（常与with搭配）v.害虫、野兽大批出没于( infest的过去式和过去分词 )；遍布于 | |
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emigrants
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| n.（从本国移往他国的）移民( emigrant的名词复数 ) | |
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emigrant
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| adj.移居的，移民的；n.移居外国的人，移民 | |
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22
jeopardy
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| n.危险；危难 | |
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enraged
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| 使暴怒( enrage的过去式和过去分词 )； 歜； 激愤 | |
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24
previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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26
inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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beset
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| v.镶嵌；困扰，包围 | |
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28
imminent
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| adj.即将发生的，临近的，逼近的 | |
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peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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30
procure
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| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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32
primitive
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| adj.原始的；简单的；n.原(始)人，原始事物 | |
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33
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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curtailed
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| v.截断，缩短( curtail的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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hospitable
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| adj.好客的；宽容的；有利的，适宜的 | |
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gateway
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| n.大门口，出入口，途径，方法 | |
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creek
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| n.小溪，小河，小湾 | |
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brook
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| n.小河，溪；v.忍受，容让 | |
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40
concealing
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，遮住( conceal的现在分词 ) | |
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41
gliding
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| v. 滑翔 adj. 滑动的 | |
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42
dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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43
swell
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| vi.膨胀，肿胀；增长，增强 | |
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swells
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| 增强( swell的第三人称单数 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
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45
hissing
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| n. 发嘶嘶声, 蔑视 动词hiss的现在分词形式 | |
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46
zealous
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| adj.狂热的，热心的 | |
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47
accomplishments
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| n.造诣；完成( accomplishment的名词复数 )；技能；成绩；成就 | |
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48
noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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49
vivacity
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| n.快活，活泼，精神充沛 | |
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50
antelope
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| n.羚羊；羚羊皮 | |
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51
dilating
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| v.（使某物）扩大，膨胀，张大( dilate的现在分词 ) | |
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52
apocryphal
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| adj.假冒的，虚假的 | |
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53
anecdotes
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| n.掌故，趣闻，轶事( anecdote的名词复数 ) | |
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54
bourgeois
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| adj./n.追求物质享受的(人)；中产阶级分子 | |
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55
chattering
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| n. （机器振动发出的）咔嗒声，(鸟等)鸣，啁啾 adj. 喋喋不休的，啾啾声的 动词chatter的现在分词形式 | |
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56
frolicsome
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| adj.嬉戏的，闹着玩的 | |
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57
presumption
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| n.推测，可能性，冒昧，放肆，[法律]推定 | |
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58
vigilant
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| adj.警觉的，警戒的，警惕的 | |
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sterile
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| adj.不毛的，不孕的，无菌的，枯燥的，贫瘠的 | |
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protracted
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| adj.拖延的；延长的v.拖延“protract”的过去式和过去分词 | |
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61
tract
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| n.传单，小册子，大片(土地或森林) | |
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62
bluffs
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| 恐吓( bluff的名词复数 )； 悬崖； 峭壁 | |
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63
wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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64
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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65
grizzly
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| adj.略为灰色的，呈灰色的；n.灰色大熊 | |
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66
haze
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| n.霾，烟雾；懵懂，迷糊；vi.(over)变模糊 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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68
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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69
speck
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| n.微粒，小污点，小斑点 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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72
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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mortification
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| n.耻辱，屈辱 | |
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prospects
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| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
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75
edifying
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| adj.有教训意味的，教训性的，有益的v.开导，启发( edify的现在分词 ) | |
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76
implicit
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| a.暗示的，含蓄的，不明晰的，绝对的 | |
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77
windings
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| （道路、河流等）蜿蜒的，弯曲的( winding的名词复数 )； 缠绕( wind的现在分词 )； 卷绕； 转动（把手） | |
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78
rattle
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| v.飞奔，碰响；激怒；n.碰撞声；拨浪鼓 | |
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79
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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80
descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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81
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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82
lodges
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| v.存放( lodge的第三人称单数 )；暂住；埋入；（权利、权威等）归属 | |
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lodge
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| v.临时住宿，寄宿，寄存，容纳；n.传达室，小旅馆 | |
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84
rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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85
scrambling
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| v.快速爬行( scramble的现在分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
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86
rouge
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| n.胭脂，口红唇膏；v.(在…上)擦口红 | |
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pueblo
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| n.（美国西南部或墨西哥等）印第安人的村庄 | |
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recollect
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| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
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mortified
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| v.使受辱( mortify的过去式和过去分词 )；伤害（人的感情）；克制；抑制（肉体、情感等） | |
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delectable
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| adj.使人愉快的；美味的 | |
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91
commotion
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| n.骚动，动乱 | |
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92
erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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93
ERECTED
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| adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立 | |
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distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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suffocating
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| a.使人窒息的 | |
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tripe
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| n.废话，肚子, 内脏 | |
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97
copper
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| n.铜；铜币；铜器；adj.铜(制)的；(紫)铜色的 | |
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98
strenuous
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| adj.奋发的，使劲的；紧张的；热烈的，狂热的 | |
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exertion
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| n.尽力，努力 | |
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jargon
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| n.术语，行话 | |
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101
entangled
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| adj.卷入的；陷入的；被缠住的；缠在一起的v.使某人（某物/自己）缠绕，纠缠于（某物中），使某人（自己）陷入（困难或复杂的环境中）( entangle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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102
tangled
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| adj. 纠缠的，紊乱的 动词tangle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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103
contradictory
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| adj.反驳的，反对的，抗辩的；n.正反对，矛盾对立 | |
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104
attired
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| adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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105
cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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106
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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107
whoop
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| n.大叫，呐喊，喘息声；v.叫喊，喘息 | |
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108
victorious
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| adj.胜利的，得胜的 | |
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109
dangling
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| 悬吊着( dangle的现在分词 )； 摆动不定； 用某事物诱惑…； 吊胃口 | |
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110
gaudy
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| adj.华而不实的；俗丽的 | |
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111
ponchos
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| n.斗篷( poncho的名词复数 ) | |
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112
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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113
wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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114
hearth
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| n.壁炉炉床，壁炉地面 | |
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115
contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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116
conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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117
mischievous
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| adj.调皮的，恶作剧的，有害的，伤人的 | |
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118
luster
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| n.光辉；光泽，光亮；荣誉 | |
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119
darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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120
exulting
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| vi. 欢欣鼓舞，狂喜 | |
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121
exultingly
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| 兴高采烈地，得意地 | |
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122
outright
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| adv.坦率地；彻底地；立即；adj.无疑的；彻底的 | |
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123
throng
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| n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集 | |
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124
intercepted
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| 拦截( intercept的过去式和过去分词 )； 截住； 截击； 拦阻 | |
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125
intruding
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| v.侵入，侵扰，打扰( intrude的现在分词)；把…强加于 | |
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126
mettle
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| n.勇气，精神 | |
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127
tutelary
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| adj.保护的；守护的 | |
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128
embodied
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| v.表现( embody的过去式和过去分词 )；象征；包括；包含 | |
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129
warfare
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| n.战争(状态)；斗争；冲突 | |
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130
warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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131
brandish
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| v.挥舞，挥动；n.挥动，挥舞 | |
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132
frantic
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| adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的 | |
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133
ferocious
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| adj.凶猛的，残暴的，极度的，十分强烈的 | |
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134
untoward
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| adj.不利的，不幸的，困难重重的 | |
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135
mutinous
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| adj.叛变的，反抗的；adv.反抗地，叛变地；n.反抗，叛变 | |
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136
mule
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| n.骡子，杂种，执拗的人 | |
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137
arid
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| adj.干旱的；(土地)贫瘠的 | |
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138
reptiles
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| n.爬行动物，爬虫( reptile的名词复数 ) | |
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139
grasshoppers
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| n.蚱蜢( grasshopper的名词复数 )；蝗虫；蚂蚱；（孩子）矮小的 | |
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140
extravagant
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| adj.奢侈的；过分的；(言行等)放肆的 | |
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141
lizards
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| n.蜥蜴( lizard的名词复数 ) | |
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142
darting
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的现在分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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143
consigned
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| v.把…置于（令人不快的境地）( consign的过去式和过去分词 )；把…托付给；把…托人代售；丟弃 | |
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144
tranquillity
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| n. 平静, 安静 | |
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145
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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146
juvenile
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| n.青少年，少年读物；adj.青少年的，幼稚的 | |
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147
tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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148
delicacies
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| n.棘手( delicacy的名词复数 )；精致；精美的食物；周到 | |
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149
astounding
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| adj.使人震惊的vt.使震惊，使大吃一惊astound的现在分词) | |
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150
mound
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| n.土墩，堤，小山；v.筑堤，用土堆防卫 | |
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151
mounds
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| 土堆，土丘( mound的名词复数 )； 一大堆 | |
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152
burrow
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| vt.挖掘(洞穴)；钻进；vi.挖洞；翻寻；n.地洞 | |
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153
burrows
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| n.地洞( burrow的名词复数 )v.挖掘（洞穴），挖洞( burrow的第三人称单数 )；翻寻 | |
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154
squeaking
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| v.短促地尖叫( squeak的现在分词 )；吱吱叫；告密；充当告密者 | |
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155
yelping
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| v.发出短而尖的叫声( yelp的现在分词 ) | |
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156
shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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157
proprietor
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| n.所有人；业主；经营者 | |
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158
complacent
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| adj.自满的；自鸣得意的 | |
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159
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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160
subterranean
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| adj.地下的，地表下的 | |
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161
commonwealth
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| n.共和国，联邦，共同体 | |
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162
basking
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| v.晒太阳，取暖( bask的现在分词 )；对…感到乐趣；因他人的功绩而出名；仰仗…的余泽 | |
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163
owls
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| n.猫头鹰( owl的名词复数 ) | |
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164
countenances
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| n.面容( countenance的名词复数 )；表情；镇静；道义支持 | |
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165
abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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166
ascertain
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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167
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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168
engrossed
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| adj.全神贯注的 | |
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169
lamentably
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| adv.哀伤地，拙劣地 | |
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170
withering
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| 使人畏缩的，使人害羞的，使人难堪的 | |
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171
hoarsely
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| adv.嘶哑地 | |
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172
vapors
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| n.水汽，水蒸气，无实质之物( vapor的名词复数 )；自夸者；幻想 [药]吸入剂 [古]忧郁（症）v.自夸，（使）蒸发( vapor的第三人称单数 ) | |
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173
steered
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| v.驾驶( steer的过去式和过去分词 )；操纵；控制；引导 | |
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174
random
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| adj.随机的；任意的；n.偶然的(或随便的)行动 | |
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175
chasms
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| 裂缝( chasm的名词复数 )； 裂口； 分歧； 差别 | |
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176
partially
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| adv.部分地，从某些方面讲 | |
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177
extricated
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| v.使摆脱困难，脱身( extricate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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178
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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179
twigs
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| 细枝，嫩枝( twig的名词复数 ) | |
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180
picketing
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| [经] 罢工工人劝阻工人上班，工人纠察线 | |
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181
compensating
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| 补偿，补助，修正 | |
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182
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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183
belaboring
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| v.毒打一顿( belabor的现在分词 )；责骂；就…作过度的说明；向…唠叨 | |
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184
rattles
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| （使）发出格格的响声， （使）作嘎嘎声( rattle的第三人称单数 )； 喋喋不休地说话； 迅速而嘎嘎作响地移动，堕下或走动； 使紧张，使恐惧 | |
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185
writhing
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| （因极度痛苦而）扭动或翻滚( writhe的现在分词 ) | |
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187
rattling
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| adj. 格格作响的, 活泼的, 很好的 adv. 极其, 很, 非常 动词rattle的现在分词 | |
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188
crammed
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| adj.塞满的，挤满的；大口地吃；快速贪婪地吃v.把…塞满；填入；临时抱佛脚( cram的过去式) | |
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189
triumphantly
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| ad.得意洋洋地；得胜地；成功地 | |
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190
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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191
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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192
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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193
solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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194
solitudes
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| n.独居( solitude的名词复数 )；孤独；荒僻的地方；人迹罕至的地方 | |
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195
recoiled
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| v.畏缩( recoil的过去式和过去分词 )；退缩；报应；返回 | |
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196
miserably
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| adv.痛苦地；悲惨地；糟糕地；极度地 | |
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197
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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198
melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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199
ridge
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| n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭 | |
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200
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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201
dreary
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| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
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202
bloody
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| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
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203
portentous
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| adj.不祥的，可怕的，装腔作势的 | |
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204
fatigued
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| adj. 疲乏的 | |
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205
foaming
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| adj.布满泡沫的；发泡 | |
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206
foam
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| v./n.泡沫，起泡沫 | |
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207
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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208
nostrils
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| 鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 ) | |
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209
bellowing
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| v.发出吼叫声，咆哮（尤指因痛苦）( bellow的现在分词 )；（愤怒地）说出（某事），大叫 | |
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210
hoofs
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| n.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的名词复数 )v.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的第三人称单数 ) | |
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211
bellows
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| n.风箱；发出吼叫声，咆哮（尤指因痛苦）( bellow的名词复数 )；（愤怒地）说出（某事），大叫v.发出吼叫声，咆哮（尤指因痛苦）( bellow的第三人称单数 )；（愤怒地）说出（某事），大叫 | |
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212
spouting
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| n.水落管系统v.（指液体）喷出( spout的现在分词 )；滔滔不绝地讲；喋喋不休地说；喷水 | |
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213
incision
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| n．切口，切开 | |
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214
specks
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| n.眼镜；斑点，微粒，污点( speck的名词复数 ) | |
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215
verge
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| n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临 | |
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216
tinged
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| v.（使）发丁丁声( ting的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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217
mantle
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| n.斗篷，覆罩之物，罩子；v.罩住，覆盖，脸红 | |
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218
precipices
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| n.悬崖，峭壁( precipice的名词复数 ) | |
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219
stanza
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| n.（诗）节，段 | |
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220
streak
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| n.条理，斑纹，倾向，少许，痕迹；v.加条纹，变成条纹，奔驰，快速移动 | |
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221
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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222
whets
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| v.（在石头上）磨（刀、斧等）( whet的第三人称单数 )；引起，刺激（食欲、欲望、兴趣等） | |
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223
beak
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| n.鸟嘴，茶壶嘴，钩形鼻 | |
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224
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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225
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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226
savages
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| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
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227
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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228
reverberating
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| 回响，回荡( reverberate的现在分词 )； 使反响，使回荡，使反射 | |
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229
cataract
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| n.大瀑布，奔流，洪水，白内障 | |
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230
torrent
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| n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发 | |
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231
sublime
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| adj.崇高的，伟大的；极度的，不顾后果的 | |
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luxurious
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| adj.精美而昂贵的；豪华的 | |
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233
voluptuous
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| adj.肉欲的，骄奢淫逸的 | |
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234
transparent
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| adj.明显的，无疑的；透明的 | |
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235
ragged
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| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
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groves
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| 树丛，小树林( grove的名词复数 ) | |
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